Airtel Nigeria, the country’s second-largest telecommunications provider, has announced a significant revision to its data pricing structure. The adjustment, which took effect recently, reflects the growing financial strain on telecom operators due to inflation, foreign exchange volatility, and rising operational costs.

New Airtel Data Prices and Adjustments

A review of the *312# USSD code and Airtel Nigeria’s official website confirms the implementation of the new pricing structure, which has sparked mixed reactions among subscribers.

Updated Data Plans:

• Daily Plans: N50 for 40MB (1 day), N100 for 100MB (1 day), N200 for 200MB (3 days), N350 for 1GB (1 day).
• Weekly Plans: N350 for 350MB (7 days), N500 for 750MB + 1GB YouTube Night & 200MB YouTube Music/Spotify (7 days), N500 for 1GB + 1GB YouTube Night & 50MB Socials (7 days), N500 for 2GB (2 days).
• Monthly Plans: 3GB for N2,000 (previously 1.5GB at N1,200), 4GB for N2,500 (formerly 3GB at N1,500), 8GB for N3,000 (previously 4.5GB at N2,000), 10GB for N4,000 (formerly 6GB at N2,500), 13GB for N5,000 (previously 10GB at N3,000), 18GB for N6,000 (formerly 15GB at N4,000), and 25GB for N8,000 (previously 18GB at N5,000).

Additionally, Airtel Nigeria has increased its call rates to 25 kobo per second from the previous 18 kobo per second, while the cost of SMS has risen from N4.00 to N6.00 per message. However, some tariff plans, such as the 5GB weekly plan for N1,500, remain unchanged.

Why Airtel Increased Data Prices

According to Airtel Nigeria, the price adjustments were necessary to maintain service quality and ensure continuous network expansion despite economic challenges. The rising cost of doing business in Nigeria, particularly in the telecom sector, has made it increasingly difficult for operators to sustain previous pricing models.

This move follows a similar adjustment by MTN Nigeria, which recently implemented a 50% tariff hike, further highlighting the pressure on telecom companies to adapt to changing economic realities.

Regulatory Approval and Industry Response

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which oversees the telecom industry, had earlier approved a maximum tariff adjustment of 50% for operators. The regulatory body justified this decision by citing increased operational costs and the need for industry sustainability.

“While recognizing the concerns of the public, the decision was made after extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors,” the NCC stated.

Subscriber Reactions and Market Impact

While some customers have expressed frustration over the increased data and call costs, Airtel maintains that the revisions are essential for maintaining service reliability and future investments in Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure.

As Nigeria’s telecommunications industry continues to evolve, subscribers can expect further adjustments in pricing structures as operators strive to balance affordability with sustainability.